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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Am I being abused?

15 replies

ForFairPombear · 18/05/2025 21:50

Long story short. I think my partner of 13 years is abusing me in some sort of way??! His mood is so up and down. I walk on eggshells everyday. I cant have an adult convo with this man without it turning into an argument. He constantly tells me ' you're just like your dad'. (He hates my dad). I'm not allowed out with friends for nights out. The odd time I get a shopping trip with my bestie and he's texting a hour later asking how long I'm going to be.
We have 2 children. 5yo and 1yo. He used to be amazing with our 5yo daughter. Now he is mean with her most days. He was drunk yesterday and calling her a loser thinking it was funny. He has no tolerance for our 1yo unless he's quiet and watching TV and not crying etc. I have so many issues with this man and I can't voice a single one of them because his reaction will be so unpredictable. He swears at me a lot and in front of the children. I could write all evening. Thank you for getting this far. Just wanting opinions. I've been in a Domestic violent relationship previous to this man and I'm so mad at myself that I've potentially picked another abuser 😫

OP posts:
ACynicalDad · 18/05/2025 22:01

Yes, there is emotional abuse, coercive control, verbal abuse and verging on emotional neglect of the kids. He's also gaslighting you. Abuse isn't your fault, it's all his, if you can kick him out do, and seek support in real life.

crazyone1974 · 18/05/2025 22:37

I think the fact you're not allowed out with friends and he is mean to your children should be enough to make you leave.

Mummblebee · 18/05/2025 22:52

This sounds awful. Leave for your sake and your children.

TwistedWonder · 18/05/2025 22:59

Of course he’s abusing you and he’s started abusing your DC as well

Please speak to Women's Aid and get an exit plan before you’re children (and you) are even more damaged by this cunt

BeNiceWhenItsFinished · 18/05/2025 23:01

I'm so sorry Flowers

Yes, he is horribly abusive to you, and by extension, your dc as well.

LadyGAgain · 18/05/2025 23:03

You need to leave. Your children are being abused. You are being abused. Please be strong enough to call for help. Then let them carry you. I am so sorry you’re going through this. Your children also deserve better.

MiloMinderbinder925 · 18/05/2025 23:05

I see nothing but positive because you've spotted that his behaviour is unacceptable which means no going back.

Yes he's abusive and he's abusing your children. Please contact a domestic abuse organisation and get some help. You can call the National Domestic Abuse helpline, Refuge webchat or find your local service on your council website.

Sunflowers67 · 19/05/2025 00:19

Yes he is abusive to you and your children. I think you already know that though and are just seeking some extra validation.
Time to share this in 'real life', get some support, a plan and get him gone.
Well done for recognising it and I am sorry that you are going through this again - sadly, there appears to be a lot of them out there.

TipsyJoker · 19/05/2025 01:11

Yes. You are being abused and so are your children.

read this and contact women’s aid for advice and support to make a safe exit plan.

https://archive.org/details/LundyWhyDoesHeDoThat/mode/1up?view=theater

Do NOT tell him you plan to end the relationship as this is the most dangerous time for women, even if their abuser hasn’t been violent before.

Caligirl80 · 19/05/2025 01:30

Simple answer: yes, you are being abused. In a variety of ways. And he's abusing your children too: name calling and mocking is abuse.

You are walking on eggshells around him, he's successfully trying to coercively control who you spend time with, he is trying to alienate you from your parents/family, he has you in a constant state of anxiety because he's so unpredictable, he's using abusive terminology during arguments, and he's escalating arguments.

All of the above are forms of abuse. And you do not have to put up with them, and you should not permit your children to have to put up with them.

Please seek help immediately. If he abuses you in the meantime - verbally, physically or otherwise, please seek police assistance to make sure you and your kids are safe. If you need friends to come visit and keep you company, or need to go stay with your family and take the children with you then do so - you don't need permission from this f**kwit to so see your family.

I hope it works out for you. Don't let the fact you were in a DV relationship before make you upset now that you are in another one - sadly abusers tend to target nice, kind people to get into relationships with because their victims are far far far better people than they are. If you read about narcissists you'll understand that they are very good at luring people into relationships and then drip drip dripping abuse and control. The "frog in a boiling pot of water" story is a very good one to remember here. It's time for you to get the heck out of that pot!!! And take your little froglets with you!

Noshadelamp · 19/05/2025 01:38

have so many issues with this man and I can't voice a single one of them because his reaction will be so unpredictable
@ForFairPombear

Start the process of sorting out how you can leave him.
Don't tell him anything.

Unless he's prepared to go for counselling together, you don't need to voice anything to him, you know there's no point and it just makes your life harder and at risk.
You don't even need to give him reasons why you're leaving him. You're allowed to leave for any reason, don't try to convince him or get him to understand.

AttilaTheMeerkat · 19/05/2025 01:50

Joint counselling is never recommended where there is abuse of any type within the relationship. Abuse is also not a relationship issue, it’s about power and control.

Use the likes of Women’s Aid to leave safely. Do not hesitate to call the police either if he kicks off.

What is the situation re the property?
Is he named on any mortgage or tenancy agreement?.

Enrol yourself onto the Freedom Programne going forward. Abuse like this can take years to recover from and the scenario of going from one abusive relationship into another is as you have seen, not unknown.

Zanatdy · 19/05/2025 06:44

Yes, he is abusive. Don’t let your DC grow up thinking this is normal. Speak to women’s aid.

Bananalanacake · 19/05/2025 12:21

Not allowing you out with your friends is very controlling. What would happen if you left your DC with a parent or friend for the night and went out with friends for a meal. He can't use the I don't know how to look after the kids excuse then.

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